Cross-ethnic friendships, psychological well-being, and academic outcomes: Study of South Asian and White children in the UK. Issue 2 (4th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bagci, Sabahat C.; Kumashiro, Madoka; Rutland, Adam; Smith, Peter K.; Blumberg, Herbert
• Is Part Of: European journal of developmental psychology. Volume 14:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 190
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2017-03-04
• Subjects: Cross-ethnic -- friendships -- self-disclosure -- affirmation -- well-being; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Europe -- Periodicals; 155
• DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2016.1185008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-5629

Abstract

Abstract: We examined whether two interpersonal processes, self-disclosure and affirmation of ideal self, mediated the relationship between cross-ethnic friendships and psychological well-being and academic outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 484 secondary school children (243 White European, 241 South Asian British; M age = 11.10, 220 boys, 264 girls) recruited from 35 multiethnic classrooms. Results of multilevel structural equation modeling revealed mediational effects of self-disclosure between cross-ethnic friendships and psychological well-being for only South Asian children. Affirmation also mediated the association between cross-ethnic friendships and both psychological well-being and academic outcomes for South Asian children. For White European children, affirmation mediated the association between cross-ethnic friendships and psychological well-being. Further analyses demonstrated that self-disclosure resulting from cross-ethnic friendship quality facilitated affirmation, which in turn promoted both sets of outcomes. Findings demonstrate that cross-ethnic friendships in multiethnic settings contribute to well-being through the generation of positive interpersonal processes.